Slot indication for NR half-duplex FDD operation

ABSTRACT

A configuration to enable a UE to monitor downlink control to determine a slot direction while operating in a half duplex operation in a FDD mode. The apparatus receives an indication of a slot pattern for a plurality of slots, wherein the slot pattern indicates the plurality of slots includes at least one flexible slot. The apparatus receives a downlink control monitoring occasion configuration. The apparatus monitors for downlink control from a base station based at least on the indication of the slot pattern and on the monitoring occasion configuration. The apparatus determines whether the at least one flexible slot is an uplink slot or a downlink slot based on a DCI. The apparatus transmits or receives communications on the slot based on the determination.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser.No. 62/964,043, entitled “Slot Indication for NR Half-Duplex FDDOperation” and filed on Jan. 21, 2020, which is expressly incorporatedby reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND Technical Field

The present disclosure relates generally to communication systems, andmore particularly, to a configuration for slot indication in wirelesscommunication systems.

Introduction

Wireless communication systems are widely deployed to provide varioustelecommunication services such as telephony, video, data, messaging,and broadcasts. Typical wireless communication systems may employmultiple-access technologies capable of supporting communication withmultiple users by sharing available system resources. Examples of suchmultiple-access technologies include code division multiple access(CDMA) systems, time division multiple access (TDMA) systems, frequencydivision multiple access (FDMA) systems, orthogonal frequency divisionmultiple access (OFDMA) systems, single-carrier frequency divisionmultiple access (SC-FDMA) systems, and time division synchronous codedivision multiple access (TD-SCDMA) systems.

These multiple access technologies have been adopted in varioustelecommunication standards to provide a common protocol that enablesdifferent wireless devices to communicate on a municipal, national,regional, and even global level. An example telecommunication standardis 5G New Radio (NR). 5G NR is part of a continuous mobile broadbandevolution promulgated by Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) tomeet new requirements associated with latency, reliability, security,scalability (e.g., with Internet of Things (IoT)), and otherrequirements. 5G NR includes services associated with enhanced mobilebroadband (eMBB), massive machine type communications (mMTC), andultra-reliable low latency communications (URLLC). Some aspects of 5G NRmay be based on the 4G Long Term Evolution (LTE) standard. There existsa need for further improvements in 5G NR technology. These improvementsmay also be applicable to other multi-access technologies and thetelecommunication standards that employ these technologies.

SUMMARY

The following presents a simplified summary of one or more aspects inorder to provide a basic understanding of such aspects. This summary isnot an extensive overview of all contemplated aspects, and is intendedto neither identify key or critical elements of all aspects nordelineate the scope of any or all aspects. Its sole purpose is topresent some concepts of one or more aspects in a simplified form as aprelude to the more detailed description that is presented later. Mobiledevices that support 5G NR may use higher spectrum bands that may not beused for wireless communications under previous wireless communicationsstandards. Some UEs (e.g., premium UEs) may target increased throughput,increased processing capability, and high power computation which mayresult in increased hardware costs and reduced battery life. However,other devices (e.g., lower tier UEs or reduced capability UEs) may besuitable for applications that may not require the increased throughput,increased processing capability, and high power computation of premiumUEs. Aspects presented herein enable communication systems, such assystems based on NR, to be scalable and deployable in a more efficientand cost-effective manner. Scaling NR for lower tier UEs or reducedcapability UEs may allow for peak throughput, latency, and reliabilityrequirements being relaxed in comparison to premium devices.

In an aspect of the disclosure, a method, a computer-readable medium,and an apparatus are provided. The apparatus may be a device at a UE.The device may be a processor and/or a modem at a UE or the UE itself.The apparatus may include a user equipment (UE) operating in a halfduplex operation in a frequency division duplexing (FDD) mode. Theapparatus receives an indication of a slot pattern for a plurality ofslots, wherein the slot pattern indicates the plurality of slotsincludes at least one flexible slot. The apparatus receives a downlinkcontrol monitoring occasion configuration. The apparatus monitors fordownlink control from a base station based at least on the indication ofthe slot pattern and on the monitoring occasion configuration. Theapparatus determines whether the at least one flexible slot is an uplinkslot or a downlink slot based on a downlink control information (DCI).The apparatus transmits or receives communications on the slot based onthe determination.

In an aspect of the disclosure, a method, a computer-readable medium,and an apparatus are provided. The apparatus may be a device at a basestation. The device may be a processor and/or a modem at a base stationor the base station itself. The apparatus may include a base stationconfigured to communication with a UE operating in half duplex operationin a FDD mode. The apparatus transmits an indication of a slot patternfor a plurality of slots, wherein the slot pattern indicates theplurality of slots includes at least one flexible slot. The apparatustransmits downlink control to the UE based at least on the indication ofthe slot pattern. The apparatus transmits DCI scheduling communicationfor the UE, wherein the DCI indicates that the at least one flexibleslot is an uplink slot or a downlink slot. The apparatus transmits orreceives communications on the slot based on the DCI indicating that theat least one flexible slot is the uplink slot or the downlink slot.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the one or moreaspects comprise the features hereinafter fully described andparticularly pointed out in the claims. The following description andthe annexed drawings set forth in detail certain illustrative featuresof the one or more aspects. These features are indicative, however, ofbut a few of the various ways in which the principles of various aspectsmay be employed, and this description is intended to include all suchaspects and their equivalents.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a wireless communicationssystem and an access network.

FIG. 2A is a diagram illustrating an example of a first frame, inaccordance with various aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2B is a diagram illustrating an example of DL channels within asubframe, in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2C is a diagram illustrating an example of a second frame, inaccordance with various aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2D is a diagram illustrating an example of UL channels within asubframe, in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a base station and userequipment (UE) in an access network.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a wireless communication network inaccordance with aspects of the disclosure.

FIG. 5 is an example of a wireless device in accordance with aspects ofthe disclosure.

FIG. 6 is an example of a wireless device in accordance with aspects ofthe disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a call flow diagram of signaling between a UE and a basestation.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a method of wireless communication.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware implementationfor an example apparatus.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a method of wireless communication.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardwareimplementation for an example apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appendeddrawings is intended as a description of various configurations and isnot intended to represent the only configurations in which the conceptsdescribed herein may be practiced. The detailed description includesspecific details for the purpose of providing a thorough understandingof various concepts. However, it will be apparent to those skilled inthe art that these concepts may be practiced without these specificdetails. In some instances, well known structures and components areshown in block diagram form in order to avoid obscuring such concepts.

Several aspects of telecommunication systems will now be presented withreference to various apparatus and methods. These apparatus and methodswill be described in the following detailed description and illustratedin the accompanying drawings by various blocks, components, circuits,processes, algorithms, etc. (collectively referred to as “elements”).These elements may be implemented using electronic hardware, computersoftware, or any combination thereof. Whether such elements areimplemented as hardware or software depends upon the particularapplication and design constraints imposed on the overall system.

By way of example, an element, or any portion of an element, or anycombination of elements may be implemented as a “processing system” thatincludes one or more processors. Examples of processors includemicroprocessors, microcontrollers, graphics processing units (GPUs),central processing units (CPUs), application processors, digital signalprocessors (DSPs), reduced instruction set computing (RISC) processors,systems on a chip (SoC), baseband processors, field programmable gatearrays (FPGAs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), state machines, gatedlogic, discrete hardware circuits, and other suitable hardwareconfigured to perform the various functionality described throughoutthis disclosure. One or more processors in the processing system mayexecute software. Software shall be construed broadly to meaninstructions, instruction sets, code, code segments, program code,programs, subprograms, software components, applications, softwareapplications, software packages, routines, subroutines, objects,executables, threads of execution, procedures, functions, etc., whetherreferred to as software, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardwaredescription language, or otherwise.

Accordingly, in one or more example embodiments, the functions describedmay be implemented in hardware, software, or any combination thereof. Ifimplemented in software, the functions may be stored on or encoded asone or more instructions or code on a computer-readable medium.Computer-readable media includes computer storage media. Storage mediamay be any available media that can be accessed by a computer. By way ofexample, and not limitation, such computer-readable media can comprise arandom-access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an electricallyerasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), optical disk storage, magnetic diskstorage, other magnetic storage devices, combinations of theaforementioned types of computer-readable media, or any other mediumthat can be used to store computer executable code in the form ofinstructions or data structures that can be accessed by a computer.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a wireless communicationssystem and an access network 100. The wireless communications system(also referred to as a wireless wide area network (WWAN)) includes basestations 102, UEs 104, an Evolved Packet Core (EPC) 160, and anothercore network 190 (e.g., a 5G Core (5GC)). The base stations 102 mayinclude macrocells (high power cellular base station) and/or small cells(low power cellular base station). The macrocells include base stations.The small cells include femtocells, picocells, and microcells.

The base stations 102 configured for 4G LTE (collectively referred to asEvolved Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) TerrestrialRadio Access Network (E-UTRAN)) may interface with the EPC 160 throughfirst backhaul links 132 (e.g., S1 interface). The base stations 102configured for 5G NR (collectively referred to as Next Generation RAN(NG-RAN)) may interface with core network 190 through second backhaullinks 184. In addition to other functions, the base stations 102 mayperform one or more of the following functions: transfer of user data,radio channel ciphering and deciphering, integrity protection, headercompression, mobility control functions (e.g., handover, dualconnectivity), inter-cell interference coordination, connection setupand release, load balancing, distribution for non-access stratum (NAS)messages, NAS node selection, synchronization, radio access network(RAN) sharing, multimedia broadcast multicast service (MBMS), subscriberand equipment trace, RAN information management (RIM), paging,positioning, and delivery of warning messages. The base stations 102 maycommunicate directly or indirectly (e.g., through the EPC 160 or corenetwork 190) with each other over third backhaul links 134 (e.g., X2interface). The first backhaul links 132, the second backhaul links 184,and the third backhaul links 134 may be wired or wireless.

The base stations 102 may wirelessly communicate with the UEs 104. Eachof the base stations 102 may provide communication coverage for arespective geographic coverage area 110. There may be overlappinggeographic coverage areas 110. For example, the small cell 102′ may havea coverage area 110′ that overlaps the coverage area 110 of one or moremacro base stations 102. A network that includes both small cell andmacrocells may be known as a heterogeneous network. A heterogeneousnetwork may also include Home Evolved Node Bs (eNBs) (HeNBs), which mayprovide service to a restricted group known as a closed subscriber group(CSG). The communication links 120 between the base stations 102 and theUEs 104 may include uplink (UL) (also referred to as reverse link)transmissions from a UE 104 to a base station 102 and/or downlink (DL)(also referred to as forward link) transmissions from a base station 102to a UE 104. The communication links 120 may use multiple-input andmultiple-output (MIMO) antenna technology, including spatialmultiplexing, beamforming, and/or transmit diversity. The communicationlinks may be through one or more carriers. The base stations 102/UEs 104may use spectrum up to Y MHz (e.g., 5, 10, 15, 20, 100, 400, etc. MHz)bandwidth per carrier allocated in a carrier aggregation of up to atotal of Yx MHz (x component carriers) used for transmission in eachdirection. The carriers may or may not be adjacent to each other.Allocation of carriers may be asymmetric with respect to DL and UL(e.g., more or fewer carriers may be allocated for DL than for UL). Thecomponent carriers may include a primary component carrier and one ormore secondary component carriers. A primary component carrier may bereferred to as a primary cell (PCell) and a secondary component carriermay be referred to as a secondary cell (SCell).

Certain UEs 104 may communicate with each other using device-to-device(D2D) communication link 158. The D2D communication link 158 may use theDL/UL WWAN spectrum. The D2D communication link 158 may use one or moresidelink channels, such as a physical sidelink broadcast channel(PSBCH), a physical sidelink discovery channel (PSDCH), a physicalsidelink shared channel (PSSCH), and a physical sidelink control channel(PSCCH). D2D communication may be through a variety of wireless D2Dcommunications systems, such as for example, WiMedia, Bluetooth, ZigBee,Wi-Fi based on the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers(IEEE) 802.11 standard, LTE, or NR.

The wireless communications system may further include a Wi-Fi accesspoint (AP) 150 in communication with Wi-Fi stations (STAs) 152 viacommunication links 154, e.g., in a 5 GHz unlicensed frequency spectrumor the like. When communicating in an unlicensed frequency spectrum, theSTAs 152/AP 150 may perform a clear channel assessment (CCA) prior tocommunicating in order to determine whether the channel is available.

The small cell 102′ may operate in a licensed and/or an unlicensedfrequency spectrum. When operating in an unlicensed frequency spectrum,the small cell 102′ may employ NR and use the same unlicensed frequencyspectrum (e.g., 5 GHz, or the like) as used by the Wi-Fi AP 150. Thesmall cell 102′, employing NR in an unlicensed frequency spectrum, mayboost coverage to and/or increase capacity of the access network.

The electromagnetic spectrum is often subdivided, based onfrequency/wavelength, into various classes, bands, channels, etc. In 5GNR, two initial operating bands have been identified as frequency rangedesignations FR1 (410 MHz-7.125 GHz) and FR2 (24.25 GHz-52.6 GHz). Thefrequencies between FR1 and FR2 are often referred to as mid-bandfrequencies. Although a portion of FR1 is greater than 6 GHz, FR1 isoften referred to (interchangeably) as a “sub-6 GHz” band in variousdocuments and articles. A similar nomenclature issue sometimes occurswith regard to FR2, which is often referred to (interchangeably) as a“millimeter wave” band in documents and articles, despite beingdifferent from the extremely high frequency (EHF) band (30 GHz-300 GHz)which is identified by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU)as a “millimeter wave” band.

With the above aspects in mind, unless specifically stated otherwise, itshould be understood that the term “sub-6 GHz” or the like if usedherein may broadly represent frequencies that may be less than 6 GHz,may be within FR1, or may include mid-band frequencies. Further, unlessspecifically stated otherwise, it should be understood that the term“millimeter wave” or the like if used herein may broadly representfrequencies that may include mid-band frequencies, may be within FR2, ormay be within the EHF band.

A base station 102, whether a small cell 102′ or a large cell (e.g.,macro base station), may include and/or be referred to as an eNB, gNodeB(gNB), or another type of base station. Some base stations, such as gNB180 may operate in a traditional sub 6 GHz spectrum, in millimeter wavefrequencies, and/or near millimeter wave frequencies in communicationwith the UE 104. When the gNB 180 operates in millimeter wave or nearmillimeter wave frequencies, the gNB 180 may be referred to as amillimeter wave base station. The millimeter wave base station 180 mayutilize beamforming 182 with the UE 104 to compensate for the path lossand short range. The base station 180 and the UE 104 may each include aplurality of antennas, such as antenna elements, antenna panels, and/orantenna arrays to facilitate the beamforming.

The base station 180 may transmit a beamformed signal to the UE 104 inone or more transmit directions 182′. The UE 104 may receive thebeamformed signal from the base station 180 in one or more receivedirections 182″. The UE 104 may also transmit a beamformed signal to thebase station 180 in one or more transmit directions. The base station180 may receive the beamformed signal from the UE 104 in one or morereceive directions. The base station 180/UE 104 may perform beamtraining to determine the best receive and transmit directions for eachof the base station 180/UE 104. The transmit and receive directions forthe base station 180 may or may not be the same. The transmit andreceive directions for the UE 104 may or may not be the same.

The EPC 160 may include a Mobility Management Entity (MME) 162, otherMMEs 164, a Serving Gateway 166, a Multimedia Broadcast MulticastService (MBMS) Gateway 168, a Broadcast Multicast Service Center (BM-SC)170, and a Packet Data Network (PDN) Gateway 172. The MME 162 may be incommunication with a Home Subscriber Server (HSS) 174. The MME 162 isthe control node that processes the signaling between the UEs 104 andthe EPC 160. Generally, the MME 162 provides bearer and connectionmanagement. All user Internet protocol (IP) packets are transferredthrough the Serving Gateway 166, which itself is connected to the PDNGateway 172. The PDN Gateway 172 provides UE IP address allocation aswell as other functions. The PDN Gateway 172 and the BM-SC 170 areconnected to the IP Services 176. The IP Services 176 may include theInternet, an intranet, an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS), a PS StreamingService, and/or other IP services. The BM-SC 170 may provide functionsfor MBMS user service provisioning and delivery. The BM-SC 170 may serveas an entry point for content provider MBMS transmission, may be used toauthorize and initiate MBMS Bearer Services within a public land mobilenetwork (PLMN), and may be used to schedule MBMS transmissions. The MBMSGateway 168 may be used to distribute MBMS traffic to the base stations102 belonging to a Multicast Broadcast Single Frequency Network (MBSFN)area broadcasting a particular service, and may be responsible forsession management (start/stop) and for collecting eMBMS relatedcharging information.

The core network 190 may include an Access and Mobility ManagementFunction (AMF) 192, other AMFs 193, a Session Management Function (SMF)194, and a User Plane Function (UPF) 195. The AMF 192 may be incommunication with a Unified Data Management (UDM) 196. The AMF 192 isthe control node that processes the signaling between the UEs 104 andthe core network 190. Generally, the AMF 192 provides QoS flow andsession management. All user Internet protocol (IP) packets aretransferred through the UPF 195. The UPF 195 provides UE IP addressallocation as well as other functions. The UPF 195 is connected to theIP Services 197. The IP Services 197 may include the Internet, anintranet, an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS), a Packet Switch (PS)Streaming (PSS) Service, and/or other IP services.

The base station may include and/or be referred to as a gNB, Node B,eNB, an access point, a base transceiver station, a radio base station,a radio transceiver, a transceiver function, a basic service set (BSS),an extended service set (ESS), a transmit reception point (TRP), or someother suitable terminology. The base station 102 provides an accesspoint to the EPC 160 or core network 190 for a UE 104. Examples of UEs104 include a cellular phone, a smart phone, a session initiationprotocol (SIP) phone, a laptop, a personal digital assistant (PDA), asatellite radio, a global positioning system, a multimedia device, avideo device, a digital audio player (e.g., MP3 player), a camera, agame console, a tablet, a smart device, a wearable device, a vehicle, anelectric meter, a gas pump, a large or small kitchen appliance, ahealthcare device, an implant, a sensor/actuator, a display, or anyother similar functioning device. Some of the UEs 104 may be referred toas IoT devices (e.g., parking meter, gas pump, toaster, vehicles, heartmonitor, etc.). The UE 104 may also be referred to as a station, amobile station, a subscriber station, a mobile unit, a subscriber unit,a wireless unit, a remote unit, a mobile device, a wireless device, awireless communications device, a remote device, a mobile subscriberstation, an access terminal, a mobile terminal, a wireless terminal, aremote terminal, a handset, a user agent, a mobile client, a client, orsome other suitable terminology.

Referring again to FIG. 1, in certain aspects, the UE 104 may beconfigured to monitor downlink control to determine a slot directionwhile operating in a half duplex operation in an FDD mode. For example,the UE 104 of FIG. 1 may include a slot pattern component 198 configuredto receive an indication of a slot pattern for a plurality of slots. TheUE 104 may receive the indication of the slot pattern for the pluralityof slots, where the slot pattern indicates the plurality of slotsincludes at least one flexible slot. The UE 104 may receive a downlinkcontrol monitoring occasion configuration. The UE 104 may monitor fordownlink control from a base station 102/180 based at least on theindication of the slot pattern and on the monitoring occasionconfiguration. The UE 104 may determine whether the at least oneflexible slot is an uplink slot or a downlink slot based on a DCI. TheUE 104 may transmit or receive communications on the slot based on thedetermination.

Referring again to FIG. 1, in certain aspects, the base station 102/180may be configured to transmit downlink control to a UE such that the UEmay determine a slot direction while operating in a half duplexoperation in a FDD mode. For example, the base station 102/180 of FIG. 1may include a slot pattern component 199 configured to transmit anindication of a slot pattern for a plurality of slots. The base station102/180 may transmit the indication of the slot pattern for theplurality of slots, where the slot pattern indicates the plurality ofslots includes at least one flexible slot. The base station 102/180transmits downlink control to the UE 104 based at least one theindication of the slot pattern. The base station 102/180 transmits DCIscheduling communication for the UE 104, where the DCI indicates thatthe at least one flexible slot is an uplink slot or a downlink slot. Thebase station 102/180 transmits or receives communications on the slotbased on the DCI indicating that the at least one flexible slot is theuplink slot or the downlink slot.

Although the following description may be focused on 5G NR, the conceptsdescribed herein may be applicable to other similar areas, such as LTE,LTE-A, CDMA, GSM, and other wireless technologies.

FIG. 2A is a diagram 200 illustrating an example of a first subframewithin a 5G NR frame structure. FIG. 2B is a diagram 230 illustrating anexample of DL channels within a 5G NR subframe. FIG. 2C is a diagram 250illustrating an example of a second subframe within a 5G NR framestructure. FIG. 2D is a diagram 280 illustrating an example of ULchannels within a 5G NR subframe. The 5G NR frame structure may befrequency division duplexed (FDD) in which for a particular set ofsubcarriers (carrier system bandwidth), subframes within the set ofsubcarriers are dedicated for either DL or UL, or may be time divisionduplexed (TDD) in which for a particular set of subcarriers (carriersystem bandwidth), subframes within the set of subcarriers are dedicatedfor both DL and UL. In the examples provided by FIGS. 2A, 2C, the 5G NRframe structure is assumed to be TDD, with subframe 4 being configuredwith slot format 28 (with mostly DL), where D is DL, U is UL, and F isflexible for use between DL/UL, and subframe 3 being configured withslot format 1 (with all UL). While subframes 3, 4 are shown with slotformats 1, 28, respectively, any particular subframe may be configuredwith any of the various available slot formats 0-61. Slot formats 0, 1are all DL, UL, respectively. Other slot formats 2-61 include a mix ofDL, UL, and flexible symbols. UEs are configured with the slot format(dynamically through DL control information (DCI), orsemi-statically/statically through radio resource control (RRC)signaling) through a received slot format indicator (SFI). Note that thedescription infra applies also to a 5G NR frame structure that is TDD.

Other wireless communication technologies may have a different framestructure and/or different channels. A frame (10 ms) may be divided into10 equally sized subframes (1 ms). Each subframe may include one or moretime slots. Subframes may also include mini-slots, which may include 7,4, or 2 symbols. Each slot may include 7 or 14 symbols, depending on theslot configuration. For slot configuration 0, each slot may include 14symbols, and for slot configuration 1, each slot may include 7 symbols.The symbols on DL may be cyclic prefix (CP) orthogonal frequencydivision multiplexing (OFDM) (CP-OFDM) symbols. The symbols on UL may beCP-OFDM symbols (for high throughput scenarios) or discrete Fouriertransform (DFT) spread OFDM (DFT-s-OFDM) symbols (also referred to assingle carrier frequency-division multiple access (SC-FDMA) symbols)(for power limited scenarios; limited to a single stream transmission).The number of slots within a subframe is based on the slot configurationand the numerology. For slot configuration 0, different numerologies μ 0to 4 allow for 1, 2, 4, 8, and 16 slots, respectively, per subframe. Forslot configuration 1, different numerologies 0 to 2 allow for 2, 4, and8 slots, respectively, per subframe. Accordingly, for slot configuration0 and numerology μ, there are 14 symbols/slot and 2^(μ) slots/subframe.The subcarrier spacing and symbol length/duration are a function of thenumerology. The subcarrier spacing may be equal to 2^(μ)*15 kHz, where μis the numerology 0 to 4. As such, the numerology μ=0 has a subcarrierspacing of 15 kHz and the numerology μ=4 has a subcarrier spacing of 240kHz. The symbol length/duration is inversely related to the subcarrierspacing. FIGS. 2A-2D provide an example of slot configuration 0 with 14symbols per slot and numerology μ=2 with 4 slots per subframe. The slotduration is 0.25 ms, the subcarrier spacing is 60 kHz, and the symbolduration is approximately 16.67 μs. Within a set of frames, there may beone or more different bandwidth parts (BWPs) (see FIG. 2B) that arefrequency division multiplexed. Each BWP may have a particularnumerology.

A resource grid may be used to represent the frame structure. Each timeslot includes a resource block (RB) (also referred to as physical RBs(PRBs)) that extends 12 consecutive subcarriers. The resource grid isdivided into multiple resource elements (REs). The number of bitscarried by each RE depends on the modulation scheme.

As illustrated in FIG. 2A, some of the REs carry reference (pilot)signals (RS) for the UE. The RS may include demodulation RS (DM-RS)(indicated as R for one particular configuration, but other DM-RSconfigurations are possible) and channel state information referencesignals (CSI-RS) for channel estimation at the UE. The RS may alsoinclude beam measurement RS (BRS), beam refinement RS (BRRS), and phasetracking RS (PT-RS).

FIG. 2B illustrates an example of various DL channels within a subframeof a frame. The physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) carries DCIwithin one or more control channel elements (CCEs) (e.g., 1, 2, 4, 8, or16 CCEs), each CCE including six RE groups (REGs), each REG including 12consecutive REs in an OFDM symbol of an RB. A PDCCH within one BWP maybe referred to as a control resource set (CORESET). A UE is configuredto monitor PDCCH candidates in a PDCCH search space (e.g., common searchspace, UE-specific search space) during PDCCH monitoring occasions onthe CORESET, where the PDCCH candidates have different DCI formats anddifferent aggregation levels. Additional BWPs may be located at greaterand/or lower frequencies across the channel bandwidth. A primarysynchronization signal (PSS) may be within symbol 2 of particularsubframes of a frame. The PSS is used by a UE 104 to determinesubframe/symbol timing and a physical layer identity. A secondarysynchronization signal (SSS) may be within symbol 4 of particularsubframes of a frame. The SSS is used by a UE to determine a physicallayer cell identity group number and radio frame timing. Based on thephysical layer identity and the physical layer cell identity groupnumber, the UE can determine a physical cell identifier (PCI). Based onthe PCI, the UE can determine the locations of the aforementioned DM-RS.The physical broadcast channel (PBCH), which carries a masterinformation block (MIB), may be logically grouped with the PSS and SSSto form a synchronization signal (SS)/PBCH block (also referred to as SSblock (SSB)). The MIB provides a number of RBs in the system bandwidthand a system frame number (SFN). The physical downlink shared channel(PDSCH) carries user data, broadcast system information not transmittedthrough the PBCH such as system information blocks (SIBs), and pagingmessages.

As illustrated in FIG. 2C, some of the REs carry DM-RS (indicated as Rfor one particular configuration, but other DM-RS configurations arepossible) for channel estimation at the base station. The UE maytransmit DM-RS for the physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) and DM-RSfor the physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH). The PUSCH DM-RS may betransmitted in the first one or two symbols of the PUSCH. The PUCCHDM-RS may be transmitted in different configurations depending onwhether short or long PUCCHs are transmitted and depending on theparticular PUCCH format used. The UE may transmit sounding referencesignals (SRS). The SRS may be transmitted in the last symbol of asubframe. The SRS may have a comb structure, and a UE may transmit SRSon one of the combs. The SRS may be used by a base station for channelquality estimation to enable frequency-dependent scheduling on the UL.

FIG. 2D illustrates an example of various UL channels within a subframeof a frame. The PUCCH may be located as indicated in one configuration.The PUCCH carries uplink control information (UCI), such as schedulingrequests, a channel quality indicator (CQI), a precoding matrixindicator (PMI), a rank indicator (RI), and hybrid automatic repeatrequest (HARQ) acknowledgment (ACK) (HARQ-ACK) information (ACK/negativeACK (NACK)) feedback. The PUSCH carries data, and may additionally beused to carry a buffer status report (BSR), a power headroom report(PHR), and/or UCI.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a base station 310 in communication with aUE 350 in an access network. In the DL, IP packets from the EPC 160 maybe provided to a controller/processor 375. The controller/processor 375implements layer 3 and layer 2 functionality. Layer 3 includes a radioresource control (RRC) layer, and layer 2 includes a service dataadaptation protocol (SDAP) layer, a packet data convergence protocol(PDCP) layer, a radio link control (RLC) layer, and a medium accesscontrol (MAC) layer. The controller/processor 375 provides RRC layerfunctionality associated with broadcasting of system information (e.g.,MIB, SIBs), RRC connection control (e.g., RRC connection paging, RRCconnection establishment, RRC connection modification, and RRCconnection release), inter radio access technology (RAT) mobility, andmeasurement configuration for UE measurement reporting; PDCP layerfunctionality associated with header compression/decompression, security(ciphering, deciphering, integrity protection, integrity verification),and handover support functions; RLC layer functionality associated withthe transfer of upper layer packet data units (PDUs), error correctionthrough ARQ, concatenation, segmentation, and reassembly of RLC servicedata units (SDUs), re-segmentation of RLC data PDUs, and reordering ofRLC data PDUs; and MAC layer functionality associated with mappingbetween logical channels and transport channels, multiplexing of MACSDUs onto transport blocks (TBs), demultiplexing of MAC SDUs from TBs,scheduling information reporting, error correction through HARQ,priority handling, and logical channel prioritization.

The transmit (TX) processor 316 and the receive (RX) processor 370implement layer 1 functionality associated with various signalprocessing functions. Layer 1, which includes a physical (PHY) layer,may include error detection on the transport channels, forward errorcorrection (FEC) coding/decoding of the transport channels,interleaving, rate matching, mapping onto physical channels,modulation/demodulation of physical channels, and MIMO antennaprocessing. The TX processor 316 handles mapping to signalconstellations based on various modulation schemes (e.g., binaryphase-shift keying (BPSK), quadrature phase-shift keying (QPSK),M-phase-shift keying (M-PSK), M-quadrature amplitude modulation(M-QAM)). The coded and modulated symbols may then be split intoparallel streams. Each stream may then be mapped to an OFDM subcarrier,multiplexed with a reference signal (e.g., pilot) in the time and/orfrequency domain, and then combined together using an Inverse FastFourier Transform (IFFT) to produce a physical channel carrying a timedomain OFDM symbol stream. The OFDM stream is spatially precoded toproduce multiple spatial streams. Channel estimates from a channelestimator 374 may be used to determine the coding and modulation scheme,as well as for spatial processing. The channel estimate may be derivedfrom a reference signal and/or channel condition feedback transmitted bythe UE 350. Each spatial stream may then be provided to a differentantenna 320 via a separate transmitter 318 TX. Each transmitter 318 TXmay modulate an RF carrier with a respective spatial stream fortransmission.

At the UE 350, each receiver 354 RX receives a signal through itsrespective antenna 352. Each receiver 354 RX recovers informationmodulated onto an RF carrier and provides the information to the receive(RX) processor 356. The TX processor 368 and the RX processor 356implement layer 1 functionality associated with various signalprocessing functions. The RX processor 356 may perform spatialprocessing on the information to recover any spatial streams destinedfor the UE 350. If multiple spatial streams are destined for the UE 350,they may be combined by the RX processor 356 into a single OFDM symbolstream. The RX processor 356 then converts the OFDM symbol stream fromthe time-domain to the frequency domain using a Fast Fourier Transform(FFT). The frequency domain signal comprises a separate OFDM symbolstream for each subcarrier of the OFDM signal. The symbols on eachsubcarrier, and the reference signal, are recovered and demodulated bydetermining the most likely signal constellation points transmitted bythe base station 310. These soft decisions may be based on channelestimates computed by the channel estimator 358. The soft decisions arethen decoded and deinterleaved to recover the data and control signalsthat were originally transmitted by the base station 310 on the physicalchannel. The data and control signals are then provided to thecontroller/processor 359, which implements layer 3 and layer 2functionality.

The controller/processor 359 can be associated with a memory 360 thatstores program codes and data. The memory 360 may be referred to as acomputer-readable medium. In the UL, the controller/processor 359provides demultiplexing between transport and logical channels, packetreassembly, deciphering, header decompression, and control signalprocessing to recover IP packets from the EPC 160. Thecontroller/processor 359 is also responsible for error detection usingan ACK and/or NACK protocol to support HARQ operations.

Similar to the functionality described in connection with the DLtransmission by the base station 310, the controller/processor 359provides RRC layer functionality associated with system information(e.g., MIB, SIBs) acquisition, RRC connections, and measurementreporting; PDCP layer functionality associated with headercompression/decompression, and security (ciphering, deciphering,integrity protection, integrity verification); RLC layer functionalityassociated with the transfer of upper layer PDUs, error correctionthrough ARQ, concatenation, segmentation, and reassembly of RLC SDUs,re-segmentation of RLC data PDUs, and reordering of RLC data PDUs; andMAC layer functionality associated with mapping between logical channelsand transport channels, multiplexing of MAC SDUs onto TBs,demultiplexing of MAC SDUs from TBs, scheduling information reporting,error correction through HARQ, priority handling, and logical channelprioritization.

Channel estimates derived by a channel estimator 358 from a referencesignal or feedback transmitted by the base station 310 may be used bythe TX processor 368 to select the appropriate coding and modulationschemes, and to facilitate spatial processing. The spatial streamsgenerated by the TX processor 368 may be provided to different antenna352 via separate transmitters 354TX. Each transmitter 354TX may modulatean RF carrier with a respective spatial stream for transmission.

The UL transmission is processed at the base station 310 in a mannersimilar to that described in connection with the receiver function atthe UE 350. Each receiver 318RX receives a signal through its respectiveantenna 320. Each receiver 318RX recovers information modulated onto anRF carrier and provides the information to a RX processor 370.

The controller/processor 375 can be associated with a memory 376 thatstores program codes and data. The memory 376 may be referred to as acomputer-readable medium. In the UL, the controller/processor 375provides demultiplexing between transport and logical channels, packetreassembly, deciphering, header decompression, control signal processingto recover IP packets from the UE 350. IP packets from thecontroller/processor 375 may be provided to the EPC 160. Thecontroller/processor 375 is also responsible for error detection usingan ACK and/or NACK protocol to support HARQ operations.

At least one of the TX processor 368, the RX processor 356, and thecontroller/processor 359 may be configured to perform aspects inconnection with 198 of FIG. 1.

At least one of the TX processor 316, the RX processor 370, and thecontroller/processor 375 may be configured to perform aspects inconnection with 199 of FIG. 1.

Mobile devices that support 5G NR may use higher spectrum bands thatwere not available to be used for wireless communications under previouswireless communications standards. Some UEs may target increasedthroughput, increased processing capability, and high power computationwhich may result in increased hardware costs and reduced battery life.Communication system may provide a strong baseline for NR consideringadvanced and diverse requirements for services directed for premiumsmartphones, such as eMBB, URLLC, V2X, etc., as shown in diagram 400 ofFIG. 4. However, other devices, e.g., lower tier UEs or reducedcapability UEs, may be suitable for applications that may not requirethe increased throughput, increased processing capability, and highpower computation of premium UEs. Aspects presented herein help enablecommunication systems, such as systems based on NR, to be scalable anddeployable in a more efficient and cost-effective manner. Scaling NR forlower tier UEs or reduced capability UEs may allow for peak throughput,latency, and reliability requirements being relaxed in comparison topremium devices, as shown in diagram 400 of FIG. 4. In addition, scalingNR for lower tier UEs or reduced capability UEs may allow for animprovement in efficiency (e.g., power consumption and system overhead)and improvement in cost.

These lower tier devices may be referred to as “reduced capability NR”devices, where the lower tier UEs or reduced capability UEs may includelow-tier devices and/or mid-tier devices. For example, reducedcapability NR devices may be suitable for low end UEs, wearable devices,industrial wireless sensor networks, surveillance cameras, and the like.FIG. 5 provides an example 500 of a smart wearable 502, which may be ause case for a reduced capability NR. The smart wearable 502, such as asmart wrist watch, may be small in size and have industrial design andbattery size constraints. In addition, the number of antennas, thedevice complexity, and peak power consumption may be reduced, incomparison to a premium UE. In some instances, the smart wearable 502may have a maximum capacity envelope similar to LTE CAT4 and may bewithin the target of 10-20 MHz bandwidth for FR1, for example. The smartwearable 502 may have 2 antennas 520 or fewer, and may have a peakthroughput for FDD on the order of 150 Mbps downlink and 50 Mbps uplink.The smart wearable 502 may include latency requirements being similar toor slightly more relaxed than eMBB. Mobility, coverage, and reliabilityrequirements should also be similar to eMBB. While support for longerdiscontinuous reception (DRX) cycle may be considered for somescenarios. The battery life may be targeted to last for at leastmultiple days.

FIG. 6 provides an example of a reduced capability NR device. Thediagram 600 of FIG. 6 provides an example of video surveillance as a usecase for a reduced capability NR device. Surveillance cameras use casesmay include city surveillance, factory monitoring, safety cameras, etc.Different use cases may have different data rates. For example, lowresolution video may be utilized for city surveillance, while highdefinition video may be utilized for factory and/or farm monitoring. Insome aspects, traffic cameras may be configured to operate in anon-demand configuration, such that the traffic cameras may operate inresponse to alarms or triggered by some event and/or emergency services.The camera may be battery operated or may be powered by an externalpower supply. The surveillance cameras may be configured based on amoderate latency of less than 500 ms, a reliability of up to 99.9%, andmay be stationary or have low mobility. The surveillance cameras mayalso have a medium to high uplink data rate (e.g., up to 25 Mbps) inorder to support the uplink dominant traffic, while having a much lowerdownlink rate.

In addition, surveillance cameras, as use cases for reduced capacity NRdevices, may have a high connection density, such that multiplesurveillance cameras may be served in a serving cell. For example, asshown in FIG. 6, multiple surveillance cameras 602 may be connected tocentral unit 604 that is in communication with a wireless network 606.The central unit 604 may operate the multiple cameras 602 and receiveuplink transmissions from each of the multiple cameras 602, such thatthe central unit 604 may transmit such data via the wireless network606.

A low-end smartphone is another example of a reduced capacity NR device.For example, the low-end smartphone may have a reduced number ofreceivers and supported bandwidth. In some instances, the low-endsmartphone may have 2 receivers in bands, whereas a premium smartphonemay have a minimum of 4 receivers. The low-end smartphones may use amaximum bandwidth of 20, 30, 40, or 50 MHz for FR1, and/or allow for amaximum bandwidth of 50 or 100 MHz for FR2.

In wireless networks, UEs operating in half duplex in an NR FDD band canreduce UE complexity in comparison to full duplex operation by removinga duplexer per FDD band, which may reduce UE complexity in multi-bandsupport. Half duplex operation in the FDD band may also provide asmaller insertion loss and improve RF performance without the duplexer.UE complexity may also be reduced by using TDD HARQ timeline for thehalf duplex operation in the FDD mode. For example, the UE basebandimplementation for TDD can be used for the half duplex operation in theFDD mode. The base station may operate in either full duplex mode orhalf duplex operation for communication in the FDD bands.

With half duplex FDD, the slot direction (e.g., uplink, downlink) in anFDD band may not be all uplink or all downlink, such that a slotdirection may be identified for UEs operating in half duplex FDD. Thepresent disclosure improves the manner in which the slot direction isindicated to a reduced capacity NR device operating in half duplex FDD.The network may not provide an indication as to the slot direction. Assuch, a UE may monitor downlink control in accordance with a searchspace configuration. The uplink or downlink direction for a slot may bedetermined by the received grant. For example, if the slot is scheduledfor downlink, the slot is determined to be a downlink slot (e.g., allthe symbols in the slot are downlink symbols). Similarly, if the slot isscheduled for uplink, the slot is determined to be an uplink slot (e.g.,all the symbols in the slot are uplink symbols).

FIG. 7 is a call flow diagram 700 of signaling between a UE 702 and abase station 704. The base station 704 may be configured to provide atleast one cell. The UE 702 may be configured to communicate with thebase station 704. For example, in the context of FIG. 1, the basestation 704 may correspond to base station 102/180 and, accordingly, thecell may include a geographic coverage area 110 in which communicationcoverage is provided and/or small cell 102′ having a coverage area 110′.Further, a UE 702 may correspond to at least UE 104. In another example,in the context of FIG. 3, the base station 704 may correspond to basestation 310 and the UE 702 may correspond to UE 350. Optional aspectsare illustrated with a dashed line.

The base station 704 may be communicating with a UE 702 operating inhalf duplex operation in an FDD mode. As illustrated at 706, the basestation 704 may transmit a slot pattern indication to the UE 702. Theslot pattern indication may be sent to the UE separate from schedulingcommunication with the UE, e.g., may be sent separately from schedulingDCI. Thus, in some examples, the UE may be able to at least partially,determine a slot pattern before receiving scheduling DCI. In someaspects, the indication of the slot pattern may be transmitted in systeminformation or in RRC signaling to the UE. In some aspects, the slotpattern may comprise a UE specific slot pattern or a UE group specificslot pattern. The slot pattern indication 706 may comprise a slotpattern for a plurality of slots. In some aspects, the slot pattern mayindicate that each of the plurality of slots may include one of anuplink slot, a downlink slot, a special slot, or a flexible slot. Theslot pattern may indicate that the plurality of slots includes at leastone flexible slot. An uplink slot is a slot having all uplink symbols. Adownlink slot is a slot having all downlink symbols. A special slot mayinclude a mixture of uplink and downlink symbols. A flexible slot mayinclude flexible symbols that may be configured to be either uplinksymbols or downlink symbols. Each symbol in a flexible slot may be aflexible symbol.

In some aspects, for example where the slot is indicated as a flexibleslot in the slot indication pattern, the UE 702 may determine whetherthe slot is an uplink slot or a downlink slot. In some aspects, forexample as illustrated at 709, the base station 704 may transmit adownlink control monitoring occasion configuration. In some aspects, thedownlink control monitoring occasion configuration may include DCIscheduling communication for the UE 702, such that the communication isscheduled in the DCI. The UE 702 may receive the downlink controlmonitoring occasion configuration, as illustrated at 708. In someaspects, the base station 704 may transmit a downlink control signal, asillustrated at 709, wherein the downlink control signal may comprise theDCI scheduling communication for the UE.

As illustrated at 712, the UE 702 may monitor for downlink control(e.g., PDCCH) from the base station 704 based at least one theindication of the slot pattern and on the monitoring occasionconfiguration. In some aspects, the UE may monitor for downlink controlwhen a search space occasion occurs in a flexible slot according to theindicated slot pattern. The base station 704 may transmit the downlinkcontrol (e.g., PDCCH) to the UE 702, as illustrated at 714. For example,the UE may treat the flexible slot as a default downlink slot for thepurposes of determining whether to monitor for PDCCH during a particularsearch space occasion. In some aspects, the UE may treat the flexibleslot as a null slot and may determine not to perform monitoring when asearch space occasion occurs within a flexible slot based on theindicated slot pattern. In some aspects, the UE may determine not toperform actions during a flexible slot. In another example, the UE maytreat the flexible slot as an uplink slot. For example, the UE maydetermine not to monitor for PDCCH during a SS occasion that occurswithin a flexible slot.

As illustrated at 713, the UE 702 may determine that the at least oneflexible slot is an uplink slot or a downlink slot. The UE 702 maydetermine that the flexible slot is the uplink slot or the downlink slotbased on DCI. In some aspects, the downlink control signal may comprisea DCI with SFI or a search space configuration. The UE 702 may use thescheduling DCI to determine whether the flexible slot is the uplink slotor the downlink slot. In some aspects, the UE may determine the flexibleslot to be the uplink slot if the DCI 709 schedules uplink resources foran uplink transmission from the UE 702. In some aspects, the UE maydetermine the flexible slot to be the downlink slot if the DCI 709schedules downlink resources for a downlink transmission to the UE 702.In some aspects, the UE may determine that the flexible slot is theuplink slot or the downlink slot based on the SFI of the DCI.

In some aspects, if a flexible slot is a downlink slot, the UE 702 maydetermine whether to monitor for PDCCH during the slot. For example, asillustrated at 711, the base station 704 may transmit a search spaceconfiguration to the UE 702. The UE 702 may receive the search space setconfiguration, as illustrated at 710. The search space set configurationmay provide time and frequency resources for the UE to use to monitorfor PDCCH from the base station 704. The search space configuration mayprovide the UE with a search space occasion, e.g., a period of time, formonitoring for PDCCH. In some aspects, the UE 702 may receive a searchspace set configuration and may determine whether to monitor for PDCCHfrom the base station 704, e.g., at 712, if a search space set occasionbased on the search space set configuration occurs in the flexible slot.

As illustrated at 716, the UE 702 may transmit or receive communicationson the slot based on the determination. The UE may transmit or receivecommunication with the base station 704. In some aspects, the UE maytransmit or receive communications with the base station 704 during thesearch space set occasion that occurs in the flexible slot, e.g., basedon treating the flexible slot as an uplink slot. In some aspects, theuplink transmission may include a random access transmission, e.g., aphysical random access channel (PRACH) transmission from the UE to thebase station. In another example, the uplink transmission may include aMsg3 PUSCH transmission to a base station, such as a target cell in ahandover. The PRACH transmission and Msg3 PUSCH transmission are merelyexamples of an uplink transmission from a UE during a flexible slot, andthe UE may also transmit other types of uplink transmissions. In someaspects, the base station may determine whether to transmit PDCCH to theUE, or to monitor for an uplink transmission from the UE, based onwhether the slot of the plurality of slots is a flexible slot in theslot indication pattern.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart 800 of a method of wireless communication. Themethod may be performed by a UE or a component of a UE (e.g., the UE104; the apparatus 902; the cellular baseband processor 904, which mayinclude the memory 360 and which may be the entire UE 350 or a componentof the UE 350, such as the TX processor 368, the RX processor 356,and/or the controller/processor 359). One or more of the illustratedoperations may be omitted, transposed, or contemporaneous. Optionalaspects are illustrated with a dashed line. The method may enable a UEto monitor downlink control to determine a slot direction whileoperating in a half duplex operation in a FDD mode.

At 802, the UE receives an indication of a slot pattern for a pluralityof slots. For example, 802 may be performed by slot pattern component940 of apparatus 902. The slot pattern may indicate that each of theplurality of slots may include one of an uplink slot, a downlink slot, aspecial slot, or a flexible slot. The slot pattern may indicate that theplurality of slots includes at least one flexible slot. In some aspects,the indication of the slot pattern may be received in system informationor in RRC signaling. In some aspects, the slot pattern may comprise a UEspecific slot pattern or a UE group specific slot pattern.

At 804, the UE may receive a downlink control monitoring occasionconfiguration. For example, 804 may be performed by configurationcomponent 942 of apparatus 902. The UE may receive the downlink controlmonitoring occasion configuration from the base station. The UE maymonitor for monitor occasions based on the downlink control monitoringoccasion configuration. In some aspects, in instances where a slot ofthe plurality of slots is a flexible slot, the UE may receive DCIscheduling communication for the UE.

At 806, the UE may monitor for downlink control from the base station.For example, 806 may be performed by monitor component 944 of apparatus902. The UE may monitor for downlink control from the base station basedat least in part on the indication of the slot pattern. In some aspects,the UE may monitor for PDCCH from the base station when a search spaceoccasion occurs in the flexible slot.

At 808, the UE may determine the at least one flexible slot to be anuplink slot or a downlink slot. For example, 808 may be performed bydetermination component 946 of apparatus 902. The UE may determine theflexible slot to be the uplink slot or the downlink slot based at leaston the indication of the slot pattern and on the monitoring occasionconfiguration. In some aspects, the flexible slot may be determined tobe the uplink slot if the DCI schedules uplink resources for an uplinktransmission from the UE. In some aspects, the flexible slot isdetermined to be the downlink slot if the DCI schedules downlinkresources for a downlink transmission to the UE.

In some aspects, for example at 810, the UE may determine the at leastone flexible slot to be the uplink slot or the downlink slot based on anSFI within the DCI. For example, 810 may be performed by SFI component948 of apparatus 902. In some aspects, the flexible slot may bedetermined to be the uplink slot or the downlink slot based on the SFIof the DCI. For example, the SFI of the DCI may indicate that theflexible slot is the uplink slot or the downlink slot.

In some aspects, for example at 812, the UE may receive a search spaceset configuration. For example, 812 may be performed by search spacecomponent 950 of apparatus 902. The UE may receive the search space setconfiguration from the base station. In some aspects, the UE may receivethe search space set configuration, such that the UE monitors for thedownlink control from the base station if a search space set occasionbased on the search space set configuration occurs in the flexible slot.In some aspects, the UE may receive the search space set configuration,such that the UE does not monitor for the downlink control from the basestation if the search space set occasion based on the search space setconfiguration occurs in the flexible slot. In some aspects, the UE maytransmit uplink communications to the base station during the searchspace set occasion that may occur in the at least one flexible slot.

In some aspects, for example at 814, the UE may receive a CORESETconfiguration. For example, 814 may be performed by CORESET component952 of apparatus 902. The UE may receive the CORESET configuration fromthe base station. In some aspects, the UE may monitor for the downlinkcontrol from the base station if at least one symbol of the configuredCORESET overlaps with the at least one flexible slot. In some aspects,the UE may not monitor for the downlink control from the base station ifat least one symbol of the configured CORESET overlaps with the at leastone flexible slot.

At 816, the UE may transmit or receive communication on the slot. Forexample, 816 may be performed by communication component 954 ofapparatus 902. The UE may transmit or receive the communications on theslot based on the determination of the at least one flexible slot beingthe uplink slot or the downlink slot. In some aspects, the UE maytransmit uplink communication to the base station during the space setoccasion that occurs in the flexible slot. In some aspects, the uplinktransmission may include a random access transmission, e.g., a physicalrandom access channel (PRACH) transmission from the UE to the basestation. In another example, the uplink transmission may include a Msg3PUSCH transmission to a base station, such as a target cell in ahandover.

FIG. 9 is a diagram 900 illustrating an example of a hardwareimplementation for an apparatus 902. The apparatus 902 is a UE andincludes a cellular baseband processor 904 (also referred to as a modem)coupled to a cellular RF transceiver 922 and one or more subscriberidentity modules (SIM) cards 920, an application processor 906 coupledto a secure digital (SD) card 908 and a screen 910, a Bluetooth module912, a wireless local area network (WLAN) module 914, a GlobalPositioning System (GPS) module 916, and a power supply 918. Thecellular baseband processor 904 communicates through the cellular RFtransceiver 922 with the UE 104 and/or BS 102/180. The cellular basebandprocessor 904 may include a computer-readable medium/memory. Thecomputer-readable medium/memory may be non-transitory. The cellularbaseband processor 904 is responsible for general processing, includingthe execution of software stored on the computer-readable medium/memory.The software, when executed by the cellular baseband processor 904,causes the cellular baseband processor 904 to perform the variousfunctions described supra. The computer-readable medium/memory may alsobe used for storing data that is manipulated by the cellular basebandprocessor 904 when executing software. The cellular baseband processor904 further includes a reception component 930, a communication manager932, and a transmission component 934. The communication manager 932includes the one or more illustrated components. The components withinthe communication manager 932 may be stored in the computer-readablemedium/memory and/or configured as hardware within the cellular basebandprocessor 904. The cellular baseband processor 904 may be a component ofthe UE 350 and may include the memory 360 and/or at least one of the TXprocessor 368, the RX processor 356, and the controller/processor 359.In one configuration, the apparatus 902 may be a modem chip and includejust the cellular baseband processor 904, and in another configuration,the apparatus 902 may be the entire UE (e.g., see 350 of FIG. 3) andinclude the aforediscussed additional modules of the apparatus 902.

The communication manager 932 includes a slot pattern component 940 thatis configured to receive an indication of a slot pattern for a pluralityof slots, e.g., as described in connection with 802 of FIG. 8. Thecommunication manager 932 further includes a configuration component 942that is configured to receive a downlink control monitoring occasionconfiguration, e.g., as described in connection with 804 of FIG. 8. Thecommunication manager 932 further includes a monitor component 944 thatis configured to monitor for downlink control from the base station,e.g., as described in connection with 806 of FIG. 8. The communicationmanager 932 further includes a determination component 946 that isconfigured to determine the at least one flexible slot to be an uplinkslot or a downlink slot, e.g., as described in connection with 808 ofFIG. 8. The communication manager 932 further includes an SFI component948 that is configured to determine the at least one flexible slot to bethe uplink slot or the downlink slot based on the SFI within the DCI,e.g., as described in connection with 810 of FIG. 8. The communicationmanager 932 further includes a search space component 950 that isconfigured to receive a search space set configuration, e.g., asdescribed in connection with 812 of FIG. 8. The communication manager932 further includes a CORESET component 952 that is configured toreceive a CORESET configuration, e.g., as described in connection with814 of FIG. 8. The communication manager 932 further includes acommunication component 954 that is configured to transmit or receivecommunication on the slot, e.g., as described in connection with 816 ofFIG. 8.

The apparatus may include additional components that perform each of theblocks of the algorithm in the aforementioned flowchart of FIG. 8. Assuch, each block in the aforementioned flowchart of FIG. 8 may beperformed by a component and the apparatus may include one or more ofthose components. The components may be one or more hardware componentsspecifically configured to carry out the stated processes/algorithm,implemented by a processor configured to perform the statedprocesses/algorithm, stored within a computer-readable medium forimplementation by a processor, or some combination thereof.

In one configuration, the apparatus 902, and in particular the cellularbaseband processor 904, includes means for receiving an indication of aslot pattern for a plurality of slots, wherein the slot patternindicates that each of the plurality of slots comprises one of an uplinkslot, a downlink slot, a special slot, or a flexible slot. The apparatusincludes means for receiving an indication of a slot pattern for aplurality of slots, wherein the slot pattern indicates the plurality ofslots includes at least one flexible slot. The apparatus includes meansfor receiving a downlink control monitoring occasion configuration. Theapparatus includes means for monitoring for downlink control from a basestation based at least on the indication of the slot pattern and on themonitoring occasion configuration. The apparatus includes means fordetermining whether the at least one flexible slot is an uplink slot ora downlink slot based on a DCI. The apparatus includes means fortransmitting or receiving communications on the slot based on thedetermination. The apparatus further includes means for determining theat least one flexible slot to be the uplink slot or the downlink slotbased on an SFI within the DCI. The apparatus further includes means forreceiving a search space set configuration. The UE monitors for thedownlink control from the base station if a search space set occasionbased on the search space set configuration occurs in the flexible slot.The apparatus further includes means for receiving a search space setconfiguration. The UE does not monitor for the downlink control from thebase station if a search space set occasion based on the search spaceset configuration occurs in the flexible slot. The apparatus furtherincludes means for receiving a CORESET configuration. The UE monitorsfor the downlink control from the base station if at least one symbol ofthe configured CORESET overlaps with the at least one flexible slot. Theapparatus further includes means for receiving a CORESET configuration.The UE does not monitor for the downlink control from the base stationif at least one symbol of the configured CORESET overlaps with the atleast one flexible slot. The aforementioned means may be one or more ofthe aforementioned components of the apparatus 902 configured to performthe functions recited by the aforementioned means. As described supra,the apparatus 902 may include the TX Processor 368, the RX Processor356, and the controller/processor 359. As such, in one configuration,the aforementioned means may be the TX Processor 368, the RX Processor356, and the controller/processor 359 configured to perform thefunctions recited by the aforementioned means.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart 1000 of a method of wireless communication. Themethod may be performed by a base station or a component of a basestation (e.g., the base station 102/180; the apparatus 1102; thebaseband unit 1104, which may include the memory 376 and which may bethe entire base station 310 or a component of the base station 310, suchas the TX processor 316, the RX processor 370, and/or thecontroller/processor 375). One or more of the illustrated operations maybe omitted, transposed, or contemporaneous. Optional aspects areillustrated with a dashed line. The method may allow a base station totransmit downlink control to a UE such that the UE may determine a slotdirection while operating in a half duplex operation in a FDD mode.

At 1002, the base station may transmit an indication of a slot patternfor a plurality of slots. For example, 1002 may be performed by slotpattern component 1140 of apparatus 1102. The base station may transmitthe indication to the UE. The slot pattern may indicate that each of theplurality of slots may comprise one of an uplink slot, a downlink slot,a special slot, or a flexible slot. The slot pattern may indicate theplurality of slots includes at least one flexible slot. In some aspects,the indication of the slot pattern may be transmitted in systeminformation or in RRC signaling. In some aspects, the slot pattern maycomprise a UE specific slot pattern or a UE group specific slot pattern.

At 1004, the base station may transmit downlink control to the UE. Forexample, 1004 may be performed by downlink control component 1142 ofapparatus 1102. The base station may transmit downlink control to the UEbased at least on the indication of the slot pattern. The UE may monitorfor monitor occasions based on the downlink control monitoring occasionconfiguration.

At 1006, the base station may transmit DCI scheduling communication forthe UE. For example, 1006 may be performed by DCI component 1144 ofapparatus 1102. The DCI may indicate that the at least one flexible slotis an uplink slot or a downlink slot. In some aspects, for example wherethe slot of the plurality of slots is a flexible slot, the base stationmay transmit DCI scheduling communication for the UE, such that thecommunication scheduled in the DCI indicates that the flexible slot isthe uplink slot or the downlink slot. In some aspects, the flexible slotmay be indicated to be the uplink slot if the DCI schedules uplinkresources for an uplink transmission from the UE. In some aspects, theflexible slot may be indicated to be the downlink slot if the DCIschedules downlink resources for a downlink transmission to the UE. Insome aspects, the DCI may comprise an SFI. In some aspects, for examplewhere the slot of the plurality of slots is a flexible slot, the basestation may transmit DCI comprising a SFI. The SFI may indicate that theflexible slot may be the uplink slot or the downlink slot.

In some aspects, the base station may transmit a search space setconfiguration to the UE. In some aspects, the UE may receive the searchspace set configuration, such that the UE monitors for the downlinkcontrol from the base station if a search space set occasion based onthe search space set configuration occurs in the flexible slot. In someaspects, the UE may receive the search space set configuration, suchthat the UE does not monitor for the downlink control from the basestation if the search space set occasion based on the search space setconfiguration occurs in the flexible slot. In some aspects, the basestation may transmit downlink control to the UE. The base station maytransmit downlink control to the UE based at least in part on theindication of the slot pattern. In some aspects, the base station maytransmit a CORESET configuration to the UE. The UE may monitor fordownlink control from the base station if at least one symbol of theconfigured CORSET overlaps with the at least one flexible slots. The UEmay not monitor for downlink control from the base station if at leastone symbol of the configured CORESET overlaps with the at least oneflexible slot.

At 1008, the base station may transmit or receive communications on theslot. For example, 1008 may be performed by communication component 1146of apparatus 1102. The base station may transmit or receive thecommunications on the slot based on the DCI indicating that the at leastone flexible slot is the uplink slot or the downlink slot.

FIG. 11 is a diagram 1100 illustrating an example of a hardwareimplementation for an apparatus 1102. The apparatus 1102 is a BS andincludes a baseband unit 1104. The baseband unit 1104 may communicatethrough a cellular RF transceiver 1122 with the UE 104. The basebandunit 1104 may include a computer-readable medium/memory. The basebandunit 1104 is responsible for general processing, including the executionof software stored on the computer-readable medium/memory. The software,when executed by the baseband unit 1104, causes the baseband unit 1104to perform the various functions described supra. The computer-readablemedium/memory may also be used for storing data that is manipulated bythe baseband unit 1104 when executing software. The baseband unit 1104further includes a reception component 1130, a communication manager1132, and a transmission component 1134. The communication manager 1132includes the one or more illustrated components. The components withinthe communication manager 1132 may be stored in the computer-readablemedium/memory and/or configured as hardware within the baseband unit1104. The baseband unit 1104 may be a component of the BS 310 and mayinclude the memory 376 and/or at least one of the TX processor 316, theRX processor 370, and the controller/processor 375.

The communication manager 1132 includes a slot pattern component 1140that may transmit an indication of a slot pattern for a plurality ofslots, e.g., as described in connection with 1002 of FIG. 10. Thecommunication manager 1132 further includes a downlink control component1142 that may transmit downlink control to the UE, e.g., as described inconnection with 1004 of FIG. 10. The communication manager 1132 furtherincludes a DCI component 1144 configured to transmit DCI schedulingcommunication for the UE, e.g., as described in connection with 1006 ofFIG. 10. The communication manager 1132 further includes a communicationcomponent 1146 that may transmit or receive communications on the slot,e.g., as described in connection with 1008 of FIG. 10.

The apparatus may include additional components that perform each of theblocks of the algorithm in the aforementioned flowchart of FIG. 10. Assuch, each block in the aforementioned flowchart of FIG. 10 may beperformed by a component and the apparatus may include one or more ofthose components. The components may be one or more hardware componentsspecifically configured to carry out the stated processes/algorithm,implemented by a processor configured to perform the statedprocesses/algorithm, stored within a computer-readable medium forimplementation by a processor, or some combination thereof.

In one configuration, the apparatus 1102, and in particular the basebandunit 1104, includes means for transmitting an indication of a slotpattern for a plurality of slots. The slot pattern indicates theplurality of slots includes at least one flexible slot. The apparatusincludes means for transmitting downlink control to the UE based atleast on the indication of the slot pattern. The apparatus includesmeans for transmitting DCI scheduling communication for the UE. The DCIindicates that the at least one flexible slot is an uplink slot or adownlink slot. The apparatus includes means for transmitting orreceiving communications on the slot based on the DCI indicating thatthe at least one flexible slot is the uplink slot or the downlink slot.The aforementioned means may be one or more of the aforementionedcomponents of the apparatus 1102 configured to perform the functionsrecited by the aforementioned means. As described supra, the apparatus1102 may include the TX Processor 316, the RX Processor 370, and thecontroller/processor 375. As such, in one configuration, theaforementioned means may be the TX Processor 316, the RX Processor 370,and the controller/processor 375 configured to perform the functionsrecited by the aforementioned means.

It is understood that the specific order or hierarchy of blocks in theprocesses/flowcharts disclosed is an illustration of example approaches.Based upon design preferences, it is understood that the specific orderor hierarchy of blocks in the processes/flowcharts may be rearranged.Further, some blocks may be combined or omitted. The accompanying methodclaims present elements of the various blocks in a sample order, and arenot meant to be limited to the specific order or hierarchy presented.

The following examples are illustrative only and may be combined withaspects of other embodiments or teachings described herein, withoutlimitation.

Aspect 1 is a method of wireless communication at a UE operating in ahalf duplex operation in an FDD mode, the method comprising receiving anindication of a slot pattern for a plurality of slots, wherein the slotpattern indicates that the plurality of slots includes at least oneflexible slot; receiving a downlink control monitoring occasionconfiguration; monitoring for downlink control from a base station basedat least on the indication of the slot pattern and on the monitoringoccasion configuration; determining whether the at least one flexibleslot is an uplink slot or a downlink slot based on a DCI; andtransmitting or receiving communications on the slot based on thedetermination.

In Aspect 2, the method of Aspect 1 further includes that the indicationof the slot pattern is received in system information or in RRCsignaling.

In Aspect 3, the method of Aspects 1 or 2 further includes that the slotpattern comprises a UE specific slot pattern or a UE group specific slotpattern.

In Aspect 4, the method of any of Aspects 1-3 further includes that theflexible slot is determined to be the uplink slot if the DCI schedulesuplink resources for an uplink transmission from the UE, and wherein theflexible slot is determined to be the downlink slot if the DCI schedulesdownlink resources for a downlink transmission to the UE.

In Aspect 5, the method of any of Aspects 1-4 further includesdetermining the at least one flexible slot to be the uplink slot or thedownlink slot based on an SFI within the DCI.

In Aspect 6, the method of any of Aspects 1-5 further includes receivinga search space set configuration, wherein the UE monitors for thedownlink control from the base station if a search space set occasionbased on the search space set configuration occurs in the flexible slot.

In Aspect 7, the method of any of Aspects 1-6 further includes receivinga search space set configuration, wherein the UE does not monitor forthe downlink control from the base station if a search space setoccasion based on the search space set configuration occurs in theflexible slot.

In Aspect 8, the method of any of Aspects 1-7 further includes receivinga CORESET configuration, wherein the UE monitors for the downlinkcontrol from the base station if at least one symbol of the configuredCORESET overlaps with the at least one flexible slot.

In Aspect 9, the method of any of Aspects 1-8 further includes receivinga CORESET configuration, wherein the UE does not monitor for thedownlink control from the base station if at least one symbol of theconfigured CORESET overlaps with the at least one flexible slot.

In Aspect 10, the method of any of Aspects 1-9 further includes that theUE transmits uplink communication to the base station during the searchspace set occasion that occurs in the flexible slot.

Aspect 11 is a device including one or more processors and one or morememories in electronic communication with the one or more processorsstoring instructions executable by the one or more processors to causethe system or apparatus to implement a method as in any of Aspects 1-10.

Aspect 12 is a system or apparatus including means for implementing amethod or realizing an apparatus as in any of Aspects 1-10.

Aspect 13 is a non-transitory computer readable medium storinginstructions executable by one or more processors to cause the one ormore processors to implement a method as in any of Aspects 1-10.

Aspect 14 is a method of wireless communication at a base stationcommunicating with a UE operating in a half duplex operation in an FDDmode, the method comprising transmitting an indication of a slot patternfor a plurality of slots, wherein the slot pattern indicates that theplurality of slots includes at least one flexible slot; transmittingdownlink control to the UE based at least on the indication of the slotpattern; transmitting DCI scheduling communication for the UE, whereinthe DCI indicates that the at least one flexible slot is an uplink slotor a downlink slot; and transmitting or receiving communications on theslot based on the DCI indicating that the at least one flexible slot isthe uplink slot or the downlink slot.

In Aspect 15, the method of Aspect 14 further includes that theindication of the slot pattern is transmitted in system information orin RRC signaling.

In Aspect 16, the method of Aspect 14 or 15 further includes that theslot pattern comprises a UE specific slot pattern or a UE group specificslot pattern.

In Aspect 17, the method of any of Aspects 14-16 further includes thatthe flexible slot is indicated to be the uplink slot if the DCIschedules uplink resources for an uplink transmission from the UE, andwherein the flexible slot is indicated to be the downlink slot if theDCI schedules downlink resources for a downlink transmission to the UE.

In Aspect 18, the method of any of Aspects 14-17 further includes thatthe DCI comprises a SFI, wherein the SFI indicates that the at least oneflexible slot is the uplink slot or the downlink slot.

Aspect 19 is a device including one or more processors and one or morememories in electronic communication with the one or more processorsstoring instructions executable by the one or more processors to causethe system or apparatus to implement a method as in any of Aspects14-18.

Aspect 20 is a system or apparatus including means for implementing amethod or realizing an apparatus as in any of Aspects 14-18.

Aspect 21 is a non-transitory computer readable medium storinginstructions executable by one or more processors to cause the one ormore processors to implement a method as in any of Aspects 14-18.

The previous description is provided to enable any person skilled in theart to practice the various aspects described herein. Variousmodifications to these aspects will be readily apparent to those skilledin the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied toother aspects. Thus, the claims are not intended to be limited to theaspects shown herein, but is to be accorded the full scope consistentwith the language claims, wherein reference to an element in thesingular is not intended to mean “one and only one” unless specificallyso stated, but rather “one or more.” Terms such as “if,” “when,” and“while” should be interpreted to mean “under the condition that” ratherthan imply an immediate temporal relationship or reaction. That is,these phrases, e.g., “when,” do not imply an immediate action inresponse to or during the occurrence of an action, but simply imply thatif a condition is met then an action will occur, but without requiring aspecific or immediate time constraint for the action to occur. The word“exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example, instance, orillustration.” Any aspect described herein as “exemplary” is notnecessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over otheraspects. Unless specifically stated otherwise, the term “some” refers toone or more. Combinations such as “at least one of A, B, or C,” “one ormore of A, B, or C,” “at least one of A, B, and C,” “one or more of A,B, and C,” and “A, B, C, or any combination thereof” include anycombination of A, B, and/or C, and may include multiples of A, multiplesof B, or multiples of C. Specifically, combinations such as “at leastone of A, B, or C,” “one or more of A, B, or C,” “at least one of A, B,and C,” “one or more of A, B, and C,” and “A, B, C, or any combinationthereof” may be A only, B only, C only, A and B, A and C, B and C, or Aand B and C, where any such combinations may contain one or more memberor members of A, B, or C. All structural and functional equivalents tothe elements of the various aspects described throughout this disclosurethat are known or later come to be known to those of ordinary skill inthe art are expressly incorporated herein by reference and are intendedto be encompassed by the claims. Moreover, nothing disclosed herein isintended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether suchdisclosure is explicitly recited in the claims. The words “module,”“mechanism,” “element,” “device,” and the like may not be a substitutefor the word “means.” As such, no claim element is to be construed as ameans plus function unless the element is expressly recited using thephrase “means for.”

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of wireless communication at a userequipment (UE) operating in a half duplex operation in a frequencydivision duplexing (FDD) mode, the method comprising: receiving anindication of a slot pattern for a plurality of slots, wherein the slotpattern indicates the plurality of slots includes at least one flexibleslot; receiving a downlink control monitoring occasion configuration;monitoring for downlink control from a base station based at least onthe indication of the slot pattern and on the monitoring occasionconfiguration; determining whether the at least one flexible slot is anuplink slot or a downlink slot based on a downlink control information(DCI); and transmitting or receiving communications on the slot based onthe determination.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the indication ofthe slot pattern is received in system information or in radio resourcecontrol (RRC) signaling.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the slotpattern comprises a UE specific slot pattern or a UE group specific slotpattern.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the flexible slot isdetermined to be the uplink slot if the DCI schedules uplink resourcesfor an uplink transmission from the UE, and wherein the flexible slot isdetermined to be the downlink slot if the DCI schedules downlinkresources for a downlink transmission to the UE.
 5. The method of claim1, further comprising: determining the at least one flexible slot to bethe uplink slot or the downlink slot based on a slot format indicator(SFI) within the DCI.
 6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:receiving a search space set configuration, wherein the UE monitors forthe downlink control from the base station if a search space setoccasion based on the search space set configuration occurs in theflexible slot.
 7. The method of claim 1, further comprising: receiving asearch space set configuration, wherein the UE does not monitor for thedownlink control from the base station if a search space set occasionbased on the search space set configuration occurs in the flexible slot.8. The method of claim 1, further comprising: receiving a CORESETconfiguration, wherein the UE monitors for the downlink control from thebase station if at least one symbol of the configured CORESET overlapswith the at least one flexible slot.
 9. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising: receiving a CORESET configuration, wherein the UE does notmonitor for the downlink control from the base station if at least onesymbol of the configured CORESET overlaps with the at least one flexibleslot.
 10. The method of claim 7, wherein the UE transmits uplinkcommunication to the base station during the search space set occasionthat occurs in the flexible slot.
 11. An apparatus for wirelesscommunication at a user equipment (UE) operating in a half duplexoperation in a frequency division duplexing (FDD) mode, comprising: amemory; and at least one processor coupled to the memory and configuredto: receive an indication of a slot pattern for a plurality of slots,wherein the slot pattern indicates the plurality of slots includes atleast one flexible slot; receive a downlink control monitoring occasionconfiguration; monitor for downlink control from a base station based atleast on the indication of the slot pattern and on the monitoringoccasion configuration; determine whether the at least one flexible slotis an uplink slot or a downlink slot based on a downlink controlinformation (DCI); and transmitting or receiving on the slot based onthe determination.
 12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the indicationof the slot pattern is received in system information or in radioresource control (RRC) signaling.
 13. The apparatus of claim 11, whereinthe slot pattern comprises a UE specific slot pattern or a UE groupspecific slot pattern.
 14. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein theflexible slot is determined to be the uplink slot if the DCI schedulesuplink resources for an uplink transmission from the UE, and wherein theflexible slot is determined to be the downlink slot if the DCI schedulesdownlink resources for a downlink transmission to the UE.
 15. Theapparatus of claim 11, wherein the at least one processor furtherconfigured to: determine the at least one flexible slot to be the uplinkslot or the downlink slot based on a slot format indicator (SFI) withinthe DCI.
 16. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the at least oneprocessor further configured to: receive a search space setconfiguration, wherein the UE monitors for the downlink control from thebase station if a search space set occasion based on the search spaceset configuration occurs in the flexible slot.
 17. The apparatus ofclaim 11, wherein the at least one processor further configured to:receive a search space set configuration, wherein the UE does notmonitor for the downlink control from the base station if a search spaceset occasion based on the search space set configuration occurs in theflexible slot.
 18. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the at least oneprocessor further configured to: receive a CORESET configuration,wherein the apparatus monitors for the downlink control from the basestation if at least one symbol of the configured CORESET overlaps withthe at least one flexible slot.
 19. The apparatus of claim 11, whereinthe at least one processor further configured to: receive a CORESETconfiguration, wherein the apparatus does not monitor for the downlinkcontrol from the base station if at least one symbol of the configuredCORESET overlaps with the at least one flexible slot.
 20. The apparatusof claim 11, wherein the at least one processor further configured to:transmit uplink communication to the base station during the searchspace set occasion that occurs in the flexible slot.
 21. A method ofwireless communication at a base station communicating with a userequipment (UE) operating in a half duplex operation in a frequencydivision duplexing (FDD) mode, the method comprising: transmitting anindication of a slot pattern for a plurality of slots, wherein the slotpattern indicates the plurality of slots includes at least one flexibleslot; transmitting downlink control to the UE based at least on theindication of the slot pattern; transmitting downlink controlinformation (DCI) scheduling communication for the UE, wherein the DCIindicates that the at least one flexible slot is an uplink slot or adownlink slot; and transmitting or receiving communications on the slotbased on the DCI indicating that the at least one flexible slot is theuplink slot or the downlink slot.
 22. The method of claim 21, whereinthe indication of the slot pattern is transmitted in system informationor in radio resource control (RRC) signaling.
 23. The method of claim21, wherein the slot pattern comprises a UE specific slot pattern or aUE group specific slot pattern.
 24. The method of claim 21, wherein theflexible slot is indicated to be the uplink slot if the DCI schedulesuplink resources for an uplink transmission from the UE, and wherein theflexible slot is indicated to be the downlink slot if the DCI schedulesdownlink resources for a downlink transmission to the UE.
 25. The methodof claim 21, wherein the DCI comprises a slot format indicator (SFI),wherein the SFI indicates that the at least one flexible slot is theuplink slot or the downlink slot.
 26. An apparatus for wirelesscommunication at a base station communicating with a user equipment (UE)operating in a half duplex operation in a frequency division duplexing(FDD) mode, comprising: a memory; and at least one processor coupled tothe memory and configured to: transmit an indication of a slot patternfor a plurality of slots, wherein the slot pattern indicates theplurality of slots includes at least one flexible slot; transmitdownlink control to the UE based at least on the indication of the slotpattern; transmit downlink control information (DCI) schedulingcommunication for the UE, wherein the DCI indicates that the flexibleslot is an uplink slot or a downlink slot; and transmit or receivecommunications on the slot based on the DCI indicating that the at leastone flexible slot is the uplink slot or the downlink slot.
 27. Theapparatus of claim 26, wherein the slot pattern comprises a UE specificslot pattern or a UE group specific slot pattern.
 28. The apparatus ofclaim 26, wherein a slot of the plurality of slots is the flexible slot,the at least one processor further configured to: transmit downlinkcontrol information (DCI) scheduling communication for the UE, whereinthe communication scheduled in the DCI indicates that the flexible slotis the uplink slot or the downlink slot.
 29. The apparatus of claim 26,wherein the flexible slot is indicated to be the uplink slot if the DCIschedules uplink resources for an uplink transmission from the UE, andwherein the flexible slot is indicated to be the downlink slot if theDCI schedules downlink resources for a downlink transmission to the UE.30. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the DCI comprises a slot formatindicator (SFI), wherein the SFI indicates that the at least oneflexible slot is the uplink slot or the downlink slot.